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Targeted synchronization in an externally driven population of mechanical oscillators
Sumit Chhabria1, Karen A Blaha1, Fabio Della Rossa1
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, USA.
Chaos (Woodbury, N.Y.)
|December 4, 2018
Summary
We demonstrate how coupling metronomes widens synchronization range to external control signals. This enables synchronizing diverse metronome populations or specific subgroups.
Area of Science:
- Physics
- Nonlinear Dynamics
- Complex Systems
Background:
- Metronome synchronization is a classic problem in physics, demonstrating emergent behavior in coupled oscillators.
- External driving forces can influence oscillator synchronization, but typically within a limited frequency range.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the synchronization of driven metronomes under external control.
- To explore how inter-metronome coupling affects synchronization range and robustness.
- To design control signals for synchronizing heterogeneous metronome populations.
Main Methods:
- Experimental setup using servo motors for precise external frequency control.
- Introducing controlled coupling between metronomes to observe its effect on synchronization.
- Designing and applying specific driving signals to populations of dissimilar metronomes.
Main Results:
- A single driven metronome synchronizes only within a narrow frequency band around its natural frequency.
- Coupling between metronomes significantly widens the frequency range for synchronization to an external input.
- Successfully designed signals to achieve population-level and sub-population-level synchronization in heterogeneous systems.
Conclusions:
- Inter-metronome coupling is crucial for extending the range of synchronization with external driving forces.
- The findings enable precise control over complex oscillatory systems, including heterogeneous ones.
- This research offers insights into controlling emergent behavior in coupled oscillator networks.
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